Constellation cuts jobs after duty hike

16 June, 2008

ByChristine Boggis

Constellation has announced it will axe 50 jobs in the UK in response to the duty hike in the pre-Budget report – and warned that more could be lost unless there is a rapid change in the government's alcohol policy.

Constellation Europe president Troy Christensen told the Times this year's two duty increases have cost the company £50 million, and warned that promotional investment could be cut as well as more jobs.

He said: "If there's another duty increase, then the only thing you can do is reduce your local investment even further.

"We are a global company and we tend to put investment in countries that produce the best returns. At the moment, there are a lot better opportunities in Europe."

A Constellation spokeswoman told OLN: "It is because of the further duty increase in the pre-Budget report. Wines are in negative growth for the first time this year, so we have had to make cuts."

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